Buying first Defender

Hey all.
I'm about to buy my first Defender at the end of the week second hand. I know nothing whatsoever about cars or engines and I usually just let my local Hyundi dealership deal with any problems so I want to learn about maintenance,engines etc. by using the Landy as a learning curve.

A mate who knows his stuff,whom I took with me said that the engine,which is a replacement TDI 300 Disco is sound and the only thing wrong was the very noticable knocking noise and sensation when the clutch was released.

The guy selling it said it was the cantrememberthename thingy in the gearbox. My mate said it would probably be easier just to replace the whole gearbox than mess around taking it apart.
Is this defiantly the gearbox as he says or could it be another problem? Is it worth taking it to a mechanic just to confirm this?

Also;what are the basic tools I need to get for maintanance? I'm thinking about attending a car maintanance class as the only thing I've evr done with cars is refuel them,put oil in and change a tyre.
Like I said,I've never had an interest in things mechanical but a Defender has always been an ambition of mine because it suits my lifestyle better and I'm really keen now on learning how to "tinker with it and maintaining it. After actually getting in one and driving it,I've caught the bug big time.

I know I've got alot of questions but the whole world of engines and garages and parts are completely new to me and I could really do with being pointed in the right direction.
I'd really appreciate any help and advice from you chaps.

Hi,

Defenders are good for learning about vehicles, it is all basic mechanics.
You will need a good socket set that goes up large sizes, 27 - 28mm ( 1 inch + ) at least. There are some big nuts on Defenders. Get a good set of axle stands with a large base, 2 tonnes rocking about in the air is scary. A good trolly jack. I use a 3 tonne one. Get both the Haynes manual and the Landrover workshop manual. If you are not sure about a job ask for help. Landrover owners can't help but look when the bonnet is open.

As for the noise on the vehicle you looked at, it could be the clutch release arm pivot failing.

Best of luck and have fun.

welcome fella,

u couldnt choose a better piece of kit to learn about mechanics, as a landy is well, mechano for grown ups (and a few bairns aye nelly, 90, letsy)

anway, I would recommend joinin a basic mechanics course to get ur confidence goin, hang round mates who know wat their doin.

I've got my nice 90 that I dont touch, and a rust bucked 90 that I fiddle with, learn, make mistakes, break things then fix em again. tis the only way I learn.

good luck, enjoy landyzone, and when buyin ur defender, go for the BEST CHASSIS, inc bulkheads, rather than the one with the lowest millage.

o and another piece of advice,

a defender is not a truck.say that on here as some newbs do, and ur get slated!

actually....go on try it...dare ya

rafa

Thats great. Thanks for the advice already. I'd like to start by just getting underneath it it and under the hood with a manual and naming all the bits.
I've just googled to see what an axle stand is and they sound like a good idea as I dont like the idea of wearing a Defender as a hat.
I think some classes are in order...

I was rubbish at mechano btw.

Where abouts are you? I'd be more than happy to come and help point some things out and give it a good service with you for starters, if you're within a reasonable distance!

pos said:

Where abouts are you? I'd be more than happy to come and help point some things out and give it a good service with you for starters, if you're within a reasonable distance!

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Wickhambrook,Suffolk. About 6 miles from Bury St Edmunds.

rafa_surf said:

a defender is not a truck.say that on here as some newbs do, and ur get slated!

Click to expand...

a defender pick up is a truck the oly truck land rover do

haha

well come and any questions you have just ask someone will no the answer

another good info hole is

The Green Oval - Downloads | Land Rover Data

dave an his truck

if it is the clutch i would knock some wonga off the asking price its a bastid of a job to replace,either gearbox out or engine out..landy garage opted for the engine out option on my td and it cost me £350 supplied and fitted.

CEEJAY said:

A mate who knows his stuff,whom I took with me said that the engine,which is a replacement TDI 300 Disco is sound and the only thing wrong was the very noticable knocking noise and sensation when the clutch was released.

The guy selling it said it was the cantrememberthename thingy in the gearbox. My mate said it would probably be easier just to replace the whole gearbox than mess around taking it apart.

Click to expand...

Need a bit more info than that. Engine running in neutral. Does it knock, and stop when you press the clutch? Clutch/flywheel problem. The knock happens when you are in any gear and stationary (clutch depressed)? Gearbox input problem. Or, now you're rolling, in any gear it knocks and stops when you depress the clutch. Anything from gearbox to transfer box to propshafts, axles, diffs and half shafts or swivels and CV joints.

This is the problem with four wheel drive cars. There's a heck of a lot more bits to go wrong, and fault finding is a longer process. So, whilst it's a great toy to tootle around in, a Landy is a complex beast. And, therefore, a brilliant way to learn how to fix anything!

F'rinstance, any 2 wheel drive car has an engine, gearbox, maybe a propshaft (if it's rear drive) a differential and two half shafts, supplying drive through the shafts and constant velocity drives.

Land Rovers carry more overhead. The engine drives a normal four or five speed / reverse gearbox. This drives a 'Transfer Gearbox' which either allows the front and rear axles to take what power they need, or you apply 'Diff Lock' to make front and rear axles to work in unison. From here, a front propshaft drives the front axle (which also contains a differential gearbox) and a rear propshaft which drives the rear axle (also containing another differential gearbox)

A lot more info to come, but let's not go there yet.

So. Let's get back to diagnosing your victim. Give us more on the "knock" symptoms.

I'll be able to give more detail when I get it here and drive around some more but from what I remember,the knocking occurs when you let the clutch up after changing gear. It's a very pronounced knock that goes through the whole car;almost jolting it. It sounds like someones whacking the underside of the car with a big spanner.
It can be avoided if you're really gentle with the clutch. It feels like something is missing a tooth as it goes round. It reminds me of when you're on a bicycle and the chain doesnt quite mesh with the rear sprocket as you start peddling and the chain jolts forward,missing a link.
The knock only occurs once after each gear change.
Is that any help at all? I'm sorry I cant be more specific until I get hold of it.

CEEJAY said:

Wickhambrook,Suffolk. About 6 miles from Bury St Edmunds.

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Bloody hell, thats a bit more than a half an hour drive away. I'm in leeds, but my girlfriend lives in Ipswich who I visit at least once a month, is it near to there kind of?

pos said:

Bloody hell, thats a bit more than a half an hour drive away. I'm in leeds, but my girlfriend lives in Ipswich who I visit at least once a month, is it near to there kind of?

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I'd say it's a good 90 minutes drive away. Thanks for the offer anyway.

CEEJAY said:

I'll be able to give more detail when I get it here and drive around some more but from what I remember,the knocking occurs when you let the clutch up after changing gear. It's a very pronounced knock that goes through the whole car;almost jolting it. It sounds like someones whacking the underside of the car with a big spanner.
It can be avoided if you're really gentle with the clutch. It feels like something is missing a tooth as it goes round. It reminds me of when you're on a bicycle and the chain doesnt quite mesh with the rear sprocket as you start peddling and the chain jolts forward,missing a link.
The knock only occurs once after each gear change.
Is that any help at all? I'm sorry I cant be more specific until I get hold of it.

Click to expand...

First thing I'd check would be the A Frame ball joint.

When you say something like "A frame ball joint",would I be able to look that up in a Haynes manual and actually see what it is? I havnt bought one yet so I'm just wondering.

Hi,

Yes you can see it in the Haynes manual, or ask any Land Rover owner you see in the supermarket car park if you can have a look at there car.

A-frame ball joint sits on top of the rear axle....

is it a knock,knock nock noise as you let the clutch out could be a uj (u.s.) or loose prop bolts (worth checking first )

i would say ujs
but you are not used to driving yet give it a few weeks,you'll learn

You might have a trailing arm bush or 2 gone too - if so they may clunk when you're accelerating (ie when you let the clutch out) and also when you brake heavily.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll update you all when I get something a bit more detail from the owner.